New York Attorney
General Eliot Spitzer released a first of its kind report that reveals
widespread use of pesticides in public housing developments, schools
and parks, despite the availability of less toxic methods of effective
pest control. Unlike other studies, the report examines the cumulative
impacts of pesticides on urban children. The report identifies a clear
need for improved pest management practices that do not heavily rely
on using toxic pesticides.

"Urban children
spend about 90% of their time either in their homes, at school or in
public parks," Spitzer said. "These places are often treated
with pesticides that could threaten children's health. It is entirely
possible to control pest problems without resorting to the use of toxic
pesticides. With children's health at stake, managers of these facilities
and residents should make every effort to eliminate pest problems without
using toxic pesticides."

The Attorney General's
office surveyed the pest management policies and practices for the year
2000 of various public housing developments and nearby schools and parks
in Albany, Buffalo, New York City, Syracuse and Yonkers. The survey
responses identify the most commonly used pesticides and the frequency
of use. Local retail stores were also surveyed to determine the availability
of particular pesticide products to local residents.

The report, entitled,
Pest Control in Urban Housing, Parks and Schools: Children at Risk,
found that:
Eight out of ten housing developments surveyed (two in each of five
cities) applied pesticides inside apartments and in common areas on
a regular basis, rather than limiting application to identified pest
problems. This usually leads to excessive and unnecessary pesticide
use and exposure.

Statewide, 69% of responding residents applied pesticides in their own
homes, and one-third did so at least once a week. Many of the pesticides
used are highly toxic and some are illegal in New York.

Ten of 14 responding schools reported using pesticides, and schools
in New York City and Yonkers reported using restricted use pesticides
(which must be applied by, or under the supervision of, a certified
applicator due to their high toxicity or due to their potential to persist
and accumulate in the environment).

Three parks, one in New York City and two in Yonkers, reported using
herbicides for aesthetic, as opposed to public health, purposes.

Only two of the 15 institutions surveyed have adopted written pest management
policies, even though clear policies are essential to an effective pest
control program.

Seventy-three stores
located near the surveyed public housing facilities were also surveyed,
and 12 of the stores were found to be selling illegal pesticides. All
12 have signed agreements with Spitzer's office obligating them to remove
the illegal products from their shelves and not sell them in the future.
Additional investigations into illegal pesticide sales continue.

"Illegal pesticides
not properly registered for use pose a particular concern because these
products may not have been adequately tested and can be highly toxic,"
said Spitzer. "Retail stores that choose to sell pesticides must
be aware of their legal obligation to ensure the products are properly
registered."

"Children's
developing organ systems are highly vulnerable to pesticides,"
said Dr. Philip Landrigan, Chair of the Department of Community and
Preventive Medicine and Director of the Center for Children's Health
and the Environment at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. "Exposures
of children to pesticides in the womb and during the first years after
birth are linked to an increased risk of cancer and to increased risks
of injury to the brain and nervous system. This path-breaking report
is one of the very first to focus on pest control policies and practices
that affect the cumulative pesticide exposure of urban children in the
places where they spend most of their time."

"Not only is
exposure to toxic chemicals dangerous and unnecessary, given the availability
of alternatives, but it also represents a missed opportunity to improve
the lives of public housing residents. The very steps one takes to pestproof
buildings without chemicals - - such as fixing leaks and holes - - also
improve the overall quality, safety, and livability of urban residences,"
said Audrey Thier, Pesticide Project Director at Environmental Advocates.

"The federal
government has left children unprotected from pesticide exposure in
homes. We are very fortunate that consumer and family advocates in the
states such as Attorney General Eliot Spitzer are doing their best to
arm families with information to protect themselves," said David
Hahn-Baker, a Buffalo environmental advocate.

Spitzer also released
brochures to inform the public about practical pest control methods
that can reduce pesticide use. These brochures identify non-toxic methods,
analyzed in the report, which have been used successfully to reduce
pest problems more effectively than regular pesticide use, reduce costs,
and reduce exposure to toxic chemicals.

"Reducing pesticide
use does not mean increasing pests," said Pam Hadad-Hurst, Executive
Director of the New York Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides. "We
have identified proven techniques to eliminate pests without using toxic
pesticides."

Legislation pending
in both houses of the State Legislature (Assembly bill 1746/Senate bill
6335) would establish an urban pesticide board to make recommendations
to reduce the amount of pesticides used in urban areas and require certified
pesticide applicators to demonstrate a knowledge of non-pesticidal pest
control methods.

"Our findings
are cause for concern," said Spitzer. "The high frequency
of pesticide applications in urban areas merits a closer examination
by those interested in children's health. I welcome the Legislature's
interest in this issue and urge lawmakers to pass Assembly bill1746/Senate
bill 6335."